ABERDEEN, S.D. - The Northern State men's basketball program dropped a second straight nailbiter Saturday afternoon, falling 84-80 to St. Cloud State in NSIC North Division play at Wachs Arena. The loss comes on the heels of a 3-point setback against No. 17 Minnesota Duluth a day prior.
QUICK HITS
- Final score: St. Cloud State 84, Northern State 80
- Records: Northern State 9-6, 3-4 NSIC; St. Cloud State 7-6, 4-3 NSIC
- Attendance: 2,017
HOW IT HAPPENED
- For the second straight night, the Wolves played a see-saw battle with an NSIC North Division foe. Saturday's contest featured 11 ties adn 10 lead changes, several of which came in the game's waning minutes.
- After Jordan Belka tied the score at 79 with a pair of free throws at the 33-second mark, St. Cloud State's Anthony Roberts drove the lane and drew a foul on his lay-in with just 6 seconds remaining.
- Up three with under 5 seconds to play, St. Cloud State chose to foul and send Sam Masten to the line. Masten made the first of his 2-shot opportunity, then intentionally missed the second. However, the Wolves were whistled for a foul on the ensuing rebound, sending the Huskies to the other end for two.
- Roberts, at the line with a chance to ice the game, missed both free throws, but again, the Wolves couldn't capitalize as the Huskies were awarded the ball on the rebound with less than a second to play.
- SCSU's Matthew Willert was able to secure the Huskies' victory with two free throws with 0.7 seconds remaining in the game.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
UP NEXT
Northern State is off for the holiday break before returning to action Jan. 2 when the Wolves host Minnesota State Moorhead at Wachs Arena. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.
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